Volunteers at Lough Derg RNLI extend their heartiest congratulations to crew members Deirdre Gleeson and Paraic Slattery who were passed out on their Tier 1 assessments by RNLI coastal trainer assessor Lenny Fourie.
Tier 1 assessments form part of the RNLI’s Operational Competency Framework (OCF). After a period of classroom and afloat exercises, Roger Jones, lifeboat training coordinator at Lough Derg RNLI, liaises with crew and assessor to arrange the assessments.
Following Deirdre and Paraic’s separate theory appraisals, the afloat elements included setting up and deploying the anchor, and veering back to a ‘casualty’; setting up and establishing an alongside tow with awareness/discussion on the all of potential hazards; converting an astern tow to an alongside tow; mooring and berthing; and locating and assisting a casualty.
From left: Tier 1 crew Paraic Slattery with Lenny Fourie and helms Owen Cavanagh and Steve Smyth | Credit: RNLI/Christine O’Malley
The Tier 1 pass-out is a crucial milestone in a crew member’s training. Building on the skills they’ve acquired, Deirdre and Paraic will now commence their Tier 2 OCF training. The OCF is designed to provide volunteers with a clear and structured training framework that can take individuals all the way to becoming helm should they wish.
Christine O'Malley, lifeboat operations manager at Lough Derg RNLI says she is “delighted for Deirdre and Paraic who have worked hard to achieve this wonderful result”.
Christine also “commended the commitment of their fellow volunteers in their support of all crew as they prepare for their assessments”.
